I thank the Minister of State for coming to discuss my Commencement matter. My question is about the EU safe hearts plan. Under the plan, every country in the EU is supposed to put in place its own cardiovascular plan. We have not had a proper plan since 2019. The last major plan was from 2010-19. While there is a lot of work being done in the area, I believe we should have a modern EU safe hearts programme. It is about blood pressure, stethoscopes, cholesterol, lipids, diabetes, risk, atrial defibrillation, pulse …

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I am delighted that Ireland will be prioritising it as part of our EU Presidency. The bottom line here is for a new Irish strategy to commit to screening coverage, rapid referral pathways and targeted outreach, especially in deprived areas, because early detection is the fastest route. The Minister of State referred to that. It leads to fewer deaths, less disability and a healthier workforce. That is what we want to achieve here in Ireland. I thank the Minister of State. I am lo…

Senator Flaherty, without interruption.

The Senator should stick to the amendments.

That goes for all Senators.

Senator Flaherty, will you-----

-----try to speak to the amendments, please?

Order, please.

I call Senator Andrews.

Senator Andrews indicated. Does Senator McCormack want to speak as well?

Senator Flaherty, please.

Excuse me. I ask Senators to address the amendments. There must be no interruptions from either side.

Senator Flaherty, please.

I welcome pupils from Newtown National School, County Meath, and also guests of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, who are in the Visitors Gallery. I acknowledge Deputy Cormac Devlin, who is accompanied by Saoirse Evoy and Alex O'Hagan, two transition year students. They are very welcome and I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House. For those who are here on their school tour, there is no homework for the rest of the day, as is customary here in the Seanad.

The Cathaoirleach will send notice of the motion to the family of the former Senator, Larry Butler. Before the House suspends, I welcome Senator Garret Kelleher's nephew, Seán. He is here on work experience for the week. He is very welcome.

I thank the five MEPs for their hard work and dedication since they were elected. Many have been in the European Parliament for a number of years. I thank them for coming here this evening to share their experiences and thoughts with us. They all gave a very balanced view as to what their own thoughts are and the work in which they are interested. The Presidency of the EU is going to be an exciting time for Ireland. I thank the MEPs and wish them the best of luck in the work they are doing on behalf of all of us.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, and the officials from his Department. They are very welcome. Amendments Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement.

I would like to welcome members of the Drumshanbo men's shed, who are guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Frank Feighan, and also members from south Down men's shed, who are guests of Senator Conor Murphy. You are very welcome here this evening. I hope you enjoy your visit to Leinster House.

I ask Senator Andrews to be careful mentioning names because the people involved are not here.

The Minister, Deputy Browne, is not here. We are discussing amendments Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive.